The text – level 3

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The text – level 3

Going to the abandoned house seems like harmless fun, but should Amy be worried?

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise first and then read the story. If you find it too difficult, try one of the lower levels. After reading, do the exercises to check your understanding.

11

Preparation

Amy normally hated Monday mornings, but this term had been different. Kamal had joined her art class in September and she certainly didn’t hate Kamal; in fact, quite the opposite. She was waiting outside the art class when her friend Tara arrived.

“So, did he ask you to the disco, then?” Not for the first time, Amy wished she hadn’t told Tara about her feelings for Kamal. She knew Tara wouldn’t tell anyone else. It was just that Tara was Amy’s best friend and she seemed to think that gave her the right to know everything that was going on in Amy’s life. “I don’t think he’s interested anyway,” said Amy. “Besides, it’s not like you ever see him on his own. He’s always hanging out with Grant.” Neither of them liked Grant.

“What’s this art project they’re doing together, then?” asked Amy. “Oh, it’s something to do with graffiti, I think,” said Tara. “They’ve been working on it at that old abandoned house behind the factory after school.” “But that’s a ruin!” said Amy. “Isn’t it dangerous?” “Aah, are you worried lover boy’s going to get hurt?” Tara teased. “Shut up, Tara! Hey look, here they come now!”

After school that day, Kamal took Amy and Tara up to the abandoned house. No one had lived there for years. There were piles of rubbish in the corners and weeds growing everywhere. The windows were broken and the walls were covered with mould. It was definitely creepy. Amy didn’t like it there. The boys had been working in one of the downstairs rooms. They had cleared the rubbish out and the walls were covered in lurid paintings of zombies and skeletons. “We’re going to take photos and enter them in the school competition,” said Kamal proudly. Amy didn’t look too impressed. “Very nice,” she said sarcastically. “Where’s Grant, then?” asked Tara. “Er, he’s gone to get more paint.” Kamal looked away quickly. “Aaah, have you two had a quarrel, then?” Tara jeered. “I don’t like it here, and it’s getting dark.” Amy had had enough of zombies for one day. “Can we go now?”

Just then, they heard a loud groaning noise coming from a cupboard in the corner of the room. “What was that?” Amy sounded frightened. “I didn’t hear anything.” said Kamal. Something started banging and scraping against the door and moaning in a low voice. Someone or something was trying to get out. “Oh no! What is it?” Amy was trembling now. “What are you talking about? There’s nothing!” Kamal was trying not to smile when the door suddenly burst open and a horrific, bloodstained zombie lurched into the room, moaning and waving its arms. Amy screamed and covered her eyes. “Oh, very funny, Grant!” said Tara looking bored. Kamal and Grant started giggling uncontrollably. “Ha ha, got you!” laughed Grant, very pleased with himself. Tara turned to Amy to suggest leaving and it was then she noticed her friend was leaning against the wall gasping for breath. Kamal looked worried now. “Is she OK? We were only having a laugh.” “No she’s not OK, you idiot. She’s having an asthma attack and she hasn’t got her inhaler.” Tara reached for her phone. “I’m calling her dad”

The next evening was Halloween. Amy and Tara were at the school disco. “Are you sure you’re OK now?” asked Tara. “I’m fine,” said Amy. “It wasn’t a serious attack. I think it was breathing in those paint fumes that started it.” Tara looked around. “So, where are the zombies, then?” “Who cares? I don’t want to see Kamal again.” Amy grabbed Tara’s arm. “Come on, let’s dance!”

Amy and Tara were having a great time when Grant arrived, looking worried. “Hi, my phone has been stolen. Have you two seen Kamal? He was supposed to be here ages ago. Can you give him a call?” “Get lost, loser!” Tara turned away and carried on dancing. Grant gave her a pained look and left. “Tell him I’m looking for him if you see him,” he called over his shoulder. Tara really didn’t like Grant.

Just then Tara’s phone beeped and she looked at the screen. “Ha!” she said, “I’m not falling for that!” “What is it?” asked Amy. “Kamal just sent a text. Listen to this!” Tara read out Kamal’s text.

The girls carried on dancing. Lots of their friends had seen Kamal’s text too, but Tara told everyone to ignore it. It was just another one of his little jokes.

The next morning, Amy’s mum and dad were listening to the news on the radio while they were having breakfast. “Is Amy up yet?” Dad asked. “No, today’s a holiday and she didn’t get back home from the disco until midnight,” said mum, turning the volume up on the radio.

“This morning, police are asking for members of the public to come forward if they have any information relating to the tragic death of a sixteen-year-old school boy last night in an abandoned house on Moortown Road...”

Dad put down his newspaper and looked at the radio. “But that’s where Amy went with her friends on Monday.”

“...the boy, who died from loss of blood, was discovered early this morning partly buried under a pile of rubble and has been identified as Kamal Naseer...”

Discussion

Comments

Hey Guys,
I really liked this story even with the cut off ending. There could bee many ways where this story could go to but I really didn't see that coming. I would definitly read this as a book, as long as it is not about a zombie apocolypse. One thing that bothers me is, that the girls told everybody that the message was a joke, because even if they wouldn't go to the house they stil could let others go. It's just a sad and dramatic ending and also a little brutal. I mean death becaus of the loose of blood? That's a bit too much for an open ending. But still it was a great story and props to the writer for giving me some chills.

When I was at school I tried to treat everybody good, I don't like getting in trouble with others but I had some problems with jeering and people who liked annoying me. Even I didn't like any of the classmates, I didn't treat them the same way they treated me.

I try to avoid people i hate in school but when i meet them i have to deal with the problem.
i can not judge myself "am ?I nice to people or not ?" but i am trying my best to be nice to all people.
i do not ignore people at all.

I just ignore people that i don´t get along with even when they are mean to me.
I didn´t like the end of the story if just someone at the party would gone to check on Kamal we wouldn´t died,that´s why you shouldn´t play pranks on people.

Well, when people is not good for me or is unkind I just get out of the conversation or try to go out the place. But obviously, you can't do it always!!!Sometimes I get tired to listen that kind of people, but you know, if you do the right nothing can be worse! :D

I think four of them got to blame themselves for it,Tara doesn't accept Grant ,Amy is not forgiving,and the biggest problem is Grant for frightening Amy and Tara,and as for Kamal for not realizing the danger in the house.

This is such a sad story v.v If I were the girls, I would visit the house to really ensure whether Kamal is there even though he a prankster.. If only the boys wasn't so playful, maybe the girls' would've believed them.